U’khand CM invokes example of Thames to rejuvenate Rispana river

Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday launched an ambitious plantation drive to rejuvenate the Rispana, a gurgling stream that once passed through Dehradun but turned into a trickle owing to the city’s fast paced expansion and increasing population

Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday launched an ambitious plantation drive to rejuvenate the Rispana, a gurgling stream that once passed through Dehradun but turned into a trickle owing to the city’s fast paced expansion and increasing population.

“(In a similar drive) the citizens of the United Kingdom had successfully cleaned up the river Thames (that passes through London). If they can achieve that, can’t the people of this state rejuvenate the Rispana through a public campaign?” Rawat said while inaugurating the plantation drive at Kervan village.

“I am confident that with the people’s active participation and the spirit they have displayed… we shall rejuvenate both the rivers Rispana and the Kosi (Almora) setting an example for the world as the British did.”

Rawat said under the plantation drive, as many as 2.50 lakh saplings would be planted on the banks of the Rispana.

Later, he launched a similar campaign from Mothrowala by planting saplings on the bank of the Rispana.

“A ‘Sadbhavna Vatika’ (a garden aimed to generate goodwill) is also being developed on the bank of the Rispana (as part of the plantation drive),” the chief minister said.

“Apart from the public support, the drive is being carried out with the support of all local educational institutions, voluntary organisations and the government departments.”

Rawat also expressed his thanks to the people for support “they are extending” for the success of the plantation drive aimed to restore the Rispana to its original shape.

“The enthusiasm with which the children, youths, ladies and senior citizens participated in the drive…I have full faith we shall achieve our target of rejuvenating both the rivers,” he said referring to the Rispana and the Kosi.

Recently, the chief minister launched a similar plantation drive along the spring-fed river (Kosi) that originates from a spot near Almora.

He urged the people to not rest on their ores but continue to sustain the plantation drive.

“The saplings that you planted as part of the drive…you will have to take the responsibility of their protection,” Rawat said, adding that the saplings that were planted along the Rispana would help augment the water flow in the stream.

“In its (drive) coming phases a programme would also be carried out to clean up the banks of the Rispana,” the chief minister announced.